The Best Espresso Machine under £100

Enjoy a shot of Italian espresso any time you please with an espresso maker.

If you love the rich, strong taste of freshly brewed coffee then it is a smart idea to invest in your very own espresso maker. An espresso maker is a device that will brew authentic, delicious espressos at the touch of a button. The shortest and intensest variety of coffee, an espresso is perfect for perking yourself up. There are numerous advantages to buying an espresso maker. For example, it enables you to savour the taste of cafe style espressos in the comfort of your own home. In addition, an espresso maker makes coffee making very easy as all you need to do is press a button and a delectable espresso will be yours. Most espresso makers will make a wide variety of coffees, including lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos. So, you can get creative with your espresso maker and try new blends and coffee styles all the time.

Things to consider before buying an espresso maker

One of the key things to consider when purchasing one of these devices is the price. More often than not, paying extra money is worth it here, as paying more means that you can get an espresso maker of higher quality and from a top manufacturer with a good brand reputation. As you will see from the list below, you can still get a superb espress maker and keep the price below £100. Another important consideration is the types of coffee you can use with your espresso maker. Some devices require specifically shaped and branded capsules of coffee for their espressos, whilst others can be loaded with ground coffee or coffee beans. Think about which coffee types best suit your needs.

In addition, it is always a good idea to think about the quality of coffee you will be using for your espresso maker. Good quality coffee will taste excellent in an average espresso maker, but a state of the art espresso maker will really bring out all of those subtle notes of flavour.

Finally, if you live in a household that uses lots of different types of coffee, it is worth while considering how versatile your espresso maker will be. Will you be able to use it to make lattes, macchiatos and other coffee styles, or are you going for something that simply makes a really good espresso?

The 5 best espresso machines under £100

Finding the best espresso machine under 100 pounds is as simple as can be when you read our handy guide below.

Nespresso Inissa Capsule Machine

The Nespresso Inissa Capsule Machine is probably the sleekest and most streamlined product on this list. Though it looks small, though, it packs a powerful punch and incorporates a milk frother as well as an espresso maker. The coffee is made from specialised capsules which need to be those of the Nespresso brand. The coffee quality is good for the relatively high price of £89, though it can be a hassle trying to find the correct capsules every time – it does not leave a wide berth for experimentation with different coffee types.

Aerobie Aero Coffee Maker

The good: super quick, nice and cheap.
The bad: not the best machine for making a variety of milky coffees.
Overall: 7/10

If you want speed, then the Aerobie Aero Press Coffee Maker is an excellent choice. This futuristic looking espresso maker has a press time of just 20 seconds, and it takes it a mere minute to make your espresso. Easy to clean, this espresso maker is also the second cheapest on the list as it is just £23. Some people can find that this coffee maker feels a little flimsy in their hands when they use it, and also that it is not as versatile as it could be. This is not the best coffee maker for frothing milk with, for example.

AEG LM5400-U Lavazza A Modo Mio Favola Coffee Machine

The AEG LM5400-U Lavazza A Modo Mio Favola Cappuccino Coffee Machine is the most expensive machine on this list (it costs £99.95) but it also offers the most features. For example, it has a state of the art milk frother, and fully automated coffee preparation. The nozzle from which the coffee is poured is fully adjustable for ease of use. Another benefit of this espresso machine is its pressure levels: it offers 15 bars of pressure, which is widely accepted as being the best pressure for brewing delicious tasting coffee. It may be out of the budget of some coffee lovers, however.

Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker

The good: authentic and budget-friendly.
The bad: more labour intensive, no milk frothing technology.
Overall: 7/10

If you want something traditional, then why not try the Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker. This stylish metallic coffee maker looks just like a classic Italian espresso brewing pot. Totally analogue, with no electricity or push buttons required, this espresso maker will make 6 cups of coffee when placed on a ceramic hob. In addition, this timeless device costs just £22.99. However, precisely because it is not an electronic, automatic coffee maker like the other products on this list, this item cannot be used to make anything more than freshly brewed espresso. It does not froth milk, for example.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine

The good: a variety of capsules means a variety of coffees can be made for a good price.
The bad: not suitable for very large cup sizes.
Overall: 9/10.

Right in the middle of the price range in this list is the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine. This sleek pod style machine makes coffee from special capsules (though a variety of different branded capsules can be used, unlike with the Nescafe espresso machine, which only takes Nescafe capsules). In addition, milk capsules are available as well as coffee capsules, and this machine makes a variety of coffees including nice and frothy lattes. This is a great all rounder that does not make anything too fancy – and it cannot be used with capsules of tea or hot chocolate which some users may find inconvenient.

Conclusion

The best espresso machine under 100 for you will depend on what you are looking for. If you want something classy and authentic, go for the Nespresso Inissa Capsule Machine or the Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker. If speed is your thing, then try the Aerobie Aero Press Coffee Maker. Opt for the AEG LM5400-U Lavazza A Modo Mio Favola Cappuccino Coffee Machine for a state of the art device and the Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine for a great all rounder.